Miami’s Mario Cristobal Faces Pressure After Latest Loss

Another unexpected defeat has thrust Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal into the spotlight, raising concerns about the future of the football program. The Hurricanes suffered a 26-20 overtime loss to the unranked Southern Methodist University (SMU), marking a significant upset. This defeat follows a troubling trend for the team, which started the season with a promising 5-0 record and reached as high as No. 2 in the AP Top 25 rankings.

The loss to SMU, which ended a 51-year drought for the Mustangs against top-10 teams, comes just two weeks after Miami fell to unranked Louisville by a score of 24-21. With this latest setback, the Hurricanes now find themselves outside the top 10 of the AP poll and on the brink of missing out on the College Football Playoff.

Cristobal’s job appears to be under increasing scrutiny, particularly given his substantial $61 million buyout. According to USA TODAY Sports’ annual database of college coaches’ salaries, he is currently the third-highest paid coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), trailing behind Dabo Swinney of Clemson and Bill Belichick of North Carolina. The pressure is mounting as fans and analysts question the direction of the program.

Since signing a lucrative 10-year, $80 million contract in December 2021, Cristobal has faced a series of puzzling decisions. One notable instance occurred during a game in 2023 when he opted to run the ball rather than kneel down with just 33 seconds remaining, resulting in a fumble that allowed Georgia Tech to stage an improbable comeback.

In the wake of Saturday’s loss, Cristobal acknowledged the challenges facing his team. “You don’t know how things shake out,” he stated. “This is certainly a wild college football season, and the focus has to be on us taking care of business.” The Hurricanes’ only victory against a ranked opponent this season came in their opener against Notre Dame in August.

As Miami’s football program grapples with these recent challenges, fans are left to wonder what steps the administration will take regarding Cristobal’s future as head coach. With the season nearing its conclusion, the upcoming games will be critical not only for team morale but also for Cristobal’s tenure at the university.